Today you should use your textbook and do online research to get to know your region.
use the following online resources:
http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/world.htm
http://www.world-gazetteer.com/
Groups
11 Central America / Caribbean
Patrick
Gabriel
Giulaniana
Alejandra
Rodrigo
16 Central Western Europe
Belen
Fernanda
Ben
Darwin
Franco S.
17 Mediterranean Europe
Mateo
Andres
Genesis
Matias
Costanza
20 Russia
Jose
Michelle
Kevin
Luciana
Franco V.
25 North Africa
Matthew
Brian
Teresa
Charlie
Stefanie
32 Japan / Korea
Sergio
Giovanni
Adara
Lucia
Julio
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EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT - due no later than Wednesday March 7 - 10 points
Make a map for classroom use - large fonts, big symbols, that can be read from 15 feet away.
Please talk to Mr. Alan about the details before you start on this.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Research Project - Site and Situation of Cities in the US
Setup:
You have been assigned to groups of 3 people.
1. Chicago - Adara, Alejandra, Andres
2. Los Angeles - Belen, Ben, Brian
3. Salt Lake City - Costanza, Darwin
4. San Francisco - Fernanda, Franco S., Franco V.
5. Washington DC - Gabriel, Genesis, Giovanni
6. Miami - Giulaniana , Jose, Julio
7. Denver - Kevin, Lucia, Luciana
8. Seattle - Mateo, Matias, Matthew
9. New Orleans - Michelle, Patrick, Rodrigo
10. St. Louis - Sergio, Stefanie, Teresa
Assignment:
Your group is to put together a presentation (with a poster, an outline with MLA* citations, and an MLA* bibliography by Thursday, February 23) answering the question:
Why did your city grow to be a dominant city in its region?
Using Marble maps, the internet (suggested links below), and library resources you need to do research on the site and situation of your city to explain what historical and geographical factors contributed to its success.
Analyze the site and situation of your city thinking historically back to when it was founded and when it grew in size and importance.
*MLA Citation Style
Guidelines on How to Write a Bibliography in MLA Style
Site and Situation
The development of a settlement depends upon its site and situation. The site was the actual place where people decided to locate their settlement. The growth of that settlement then depended upon its situation in relation to accessibility and availability of natural resources and trade.
SITE:
zoom in to research the place where your city is located.
"The site is the actual location of a settlement on the earth and is composed of the physical characteristics of the landscape specific to the area.
Site factors may include:
Landforms: (i.e. is the area protected by mountains or is there a natural harbor present, defence, away from flood risks, sheltered from winds, flat land, easy to build on)
Local resources: climate and vegetation types, availability of a reliable water supply, fertile soil, building materials (stone or wood), fuel supply (wood).
SITUATION:
Zoom out to research the relationship between your city with its surrounding areas both physically and how it is connected to a larger hinterland, region, country, and the rest of the world.
"Situation is defined as the location of a place relative to its surroundings and other places.” Factors in city's situation may include
Accessibility of its location, the extent of the city's connections with other cities, crossroads, confluence, gateway, central location, lowest bridging point on a river, and how close the city is to raw materials and other resources if they are not located specifically on the site.
Suggested Research Topics and Links:
Research the history, geography, and economy of your city and its region/state/hinterland.
Try google searches for “history of [your city]”, “economy of [your city]”, “geography of [your city/or state it is in]”,
When was your city founded and why?
USA History: Cities and Towns - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAcities.htm
When did your city grow in population? What form of transportation was most important for your city at this time?
US Cities: Population History - http://www.demographia.com/dbx-uscitypophist.htm
What is the function of your city and what was the economy originally based on? Search for “economic history of [your city]”
for example:
• Economic History of Detroit
• Economic History of Chicago
• Economic History of St. Louis
• Economic History of Seattle
Historical City Maps - for your poster.
Historical Maps of US Cities: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historic_us_cities.html
Panoramic Maps: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/pmmapquery.html (search for your city)
You have been assigned to groups of 3 people.
1. Chicago - Adara, Alejandra, Andres
2. Los Angeles - Belen, Ben, Brian
3. Salt Lake City - Costanza, Darwin
4. San Francisco - Fernanda, Franco S., Franco V.
5. Washington DC - Gabriel, Genesis, Giovanni
6. Miami - Giulaniana , Jose, Julio
7. Denver - Kevin, Lucia, Luciana
8. Seattle - Mateo, Matias, Matthew
9. New Orleans - Michelle, Patrick, Rodrigo
10. St. Louis - Sergio, Stefanie, Teresa
Assignment:Your group is to put together a presentation (with a poster, an outline with MLA* citations, and an MLA* bibliography by Thursday, February 23) answering the question:
Why did your city grow to be a dominant city in its region?
Using Marble maps, the internet (suggested links below), and library resources you need to do research on the site and situation of your city to explain what historical and geographical factors contributed to its success.
Analyze the site and situation of your city thinking historically back to when it was founded and when it grew in size and importance.
*MLA Citation Style
Guidelines on How to Write a Bibliography in MLA Style
Site and Situation
The development of a settlement depends upon its site and situation. The site was the actual place where people decided to locate their settlement. The growth of that settlement then depended upon its situation in relation to accessibility and availability of natural resources and trade.
SITE:
zoom in to research the place where your city is located.
"The site is the actual location of a settlement on the earth and is composed of the physical characteristics of the landscape specific to the area.
Site factors may include:
Landforms: (i.e. is the area protected by mountains or is there a natural harbor present, defence, away from flood risks, sheltered from winds, flat land, easy to build on)
Local resources: climate and vegetation types, availability of a reliable water supply, fertile soil, building materials (stone or wood), fuel supply (wood).
SITUATION:
Zoom out to research the relationship between your city with its surrounding areas both physically and how it is connected to a larger hinterland, region, country, and the rest of the world.
"Situation is defined as the location of a place relative to its surroundings and other places.” Factors in city's situation may include
Accessibility of its location, the extent of the city's connections with other cities, crossroads, confluence, gateway, central location, lowest bridging point on a river, and how close the city is to raw materials and other resources if they are not located specifically on the site.
Suggested Research Topics and Links:
Research the history, geography, and economy of your city and its region/state/hinterland.
Try google searches for “history of [your city]”, “economy of [your city]”, “geography of [your city/or state it is in]”,
When was your city founded and why?
USA History: Cities and Towns - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAcities.htm
When did your city grow in population? What form of transportation was most important for your city at this time?
US Cities: Population History - http://www.demographia.com/dbx-uscitypophist.htm
What is the function of your city and what was the economy originally based on? Search for “economic history of [your city]”
for example:
• Economic History of Detroit
• Economic History of Chicago
• Economic History of St. Louis
• Economic History of Seattle
Historical City Maps - for your poster.
Historical Maps of US Cities: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historic_us_cities.html
Panoramic Maps: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/pmmapquery.html (search for your city)
Friday, February 10, 2012
Exercise - Site and Situation of New York City
Setup
Break into groups and on one sheet of paper, write the title "Exercise: Site and Situation of New York City", today´s date, and everyone's first and last name at the top. Write down what you find in your research to help answer the question below.
Assignment:
Research to answer this question: Why did New York City grow to be the biggest city in the U.S.?
In this assignment, you will analyze the site and situation of New York to explain what factors about its location contributed to its great success as a metropolis.
Read about how Site and Situation Describe a Place's Location -
http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/sitesituation.htm
Then, using both Marble Maps and the maps below:
- Analyze the site of New York City -zoom in to analyze the local geography.
- Analyze the situation of New York City - zoom out to analyze its hinterland and transportation routes that connect it to the city.
- What role did water play in the development of New York City?
SITE
SITUATION
Read about the Erie Canal:
Erie Canal - The Building of the Great Western Canal
http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/eriecanal.htm
Along the Erie Canal
http://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com/2011/09/mediumwave-along-erie-canal-part-1.html
History of the Erie Canal
http://www.history.rochester.edu/canal/
Friday, February 3, 2012
Essay Assignment
Essay assignment on City Simulation Game. Due in class Wednesday, February 8th
Choose one of the following topics to write a one page (500 words) essay on:
1) Describe the best strategy for building and managing a successful SimCity.
Students whose comments describe the most thorough and logical strategies will be well rewarded.
Hint: Mention City Management topics like: Balancing the Budget, Controlling Traffic, Providing Power, Controlling Fires, Why Sims like Parks, Providing Public Transportation, Controlling Pollution, Effective Zoning (mixed-use or industry clustering?).
2) SimCity is an imperfect model which simplifies reality. Write a critical essay about what you think the citizens of SimCity (Sims) are like and how they differ from real people in a real city. How does SimCity depict the environment and surrounding hinterland? What are the differences between the way the program works and the way a real city works? Hint: pick a few City Management topics to discuss such as: Balancing the Budget, Controlling Traffic, Providing Power, Controlling Fires, Why Sims like Parks, Providing Public Transportation, Controlling Pollution, Effective Zoning (mixed-use or industry clustering?).
3) SimCity makes you Mayor and City Planner, and dares you to design and build the city of your dreams. . . . Depending on your choices and design skills, Simulated Citizens (Sims) will move in and build homes, hospitals, churches, stores and factories, or move out in search of a better life elsewhere. Write an essay on your experience as Mayor and City Planner. If you started a new city, what were your goals in building a city and what challenges did you face? Why is it so important to think ahead when planning a city that will grow in the future? If you tried one of the scenarios, what problems did you have to solve and how did you deal with them (let me know which scenario you tried).
4) If you have access to a more up to date computer that can run the online City Simulation Game "Electrocity" http://www.electrocity.co.nz , try building a city with it and write an essay comparing this program with the SimCity game you have been using in the computer lab. Hint: pick a few City Management topics to discuss such as: Providing Power/Energy, Controlling Traffic, Providing Public Transportation, Controlling Pollution, Environmental stewardship, etc. In Electrocity you can save your city online and if you use the Teacher Code - AF26628 - you can share your electrocity with me Mr. Alan - just let me know the name of the city you saved.
Here are instructions on how to use the program http://www.electrocity.co.nz/HowToPlay/
Choose one of the following topics to write a one page (500 words) essay on:
1) Describe the best strategy for building and managing a successful SimCity.
Students whose comments describe the most thorough and logical strategies will be well rewarded.
Hint: Mention City Management topics like: Balancing the Budget, Controlling Traffic, Providing Power, Controlling Fires, Why Sims like Parks, Providing Public Transportation, Controlling Pollution, Effective Zoning (mixed-use or industry clustering?).
2) SimCity is an imperfect model which simplifies reality. Write a critical essay about what you think the citizens of SimCity (Sims) are like and how they differ from real people in a real city. How does SimCity depict the environment and surrounding hinterland? What are the differences between the way the program works and the way a real city works? Hint: pick a few City Management topics to discuss such as: Balancing the Budget, Controlling Traffic, Providing Power, Controlling Fires, Why Sims like Parks, Providing Public Transportation, Controlling Pollution, Effective Zoning (mixed-use or industry clustering?).
3) SimCity makes you Mayor and City Planner, and dares you to design and build the city of your dreams. . . . Depending on your choices and design skills, Simulated Citizens (Sims) will move in and build homes, hospitals, churches, stores and factories, or move out in search of a better life elsewhere. Write an essay on your experience as Mayor and City Planner. If you started a new city, what were your goals in building a city and what challenges did you face? Why is it so important to think ahead when planning a city that will grow in the future? If you tried one of the scenarios, what problems did you have to solve and how did you deal with them (let me know which scenario you tried).
4) If you have access to a more up to date computer that can run the online City Simulation Game "Electrocity" http://www.electrocity.co.nz , try building a city with it and write an essay comparing this program with the SimCity game you have been using in the computer lab. Hint: pick a few City Management topics to discuss such as: Providing Power/Energy, Controlling Traffic, Providing Public Transportation, Controlling Pollution, Environmental stewardship, etc. In Electrocity you can save your city online and if you use the Teacher Code - AF26628 - you can share your electrocity with me Mr. Alan - just let me know the name of the city you saved.
Here are instructions on how to use the program http://www.electrocity.co.nz/HowToPlay/
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Computer Lab for Wednesday February 1st & Friday 3rd
For those of you who have not finished all your computer lab work, please form groups with other students that need to finish the same exercise and work on it in lab. You must turn them in for credit no later than Monday February 6th.
All the computer lab exercises are on the blog, you just have to scroll down to find them (make sure the url above says http://calvertgeography.blogspot.com/).
==============================================================
If you are have turned in all of your computer lab exercises, please continue working with Sim City trying different scenarios or building a new city.
Don´t forget to follow these directions for the set-up:
Please pick a partner and on one sheet of paper (names and date on top) please write down if you are trying to build a new city or the name of the scenario you chose, any questions you have, problems you are running into, how you are solving problems, and other things you are learning about how to run a city. As you are working on your city, try checking "maps, graphs, and evaluation" under the Windows menu to see how you are doing. Remember that as the mayor of the city, you will do best by creating an environment in which people want to live and where their needs are met.
All the computer lab exercises are on the blog, you just have to scroll down to find them (make sure the url above says http://calvertgeography.blogspot.com/).
==============================================================
If you are have turned in all of your computer lab exercises, please continue working with Sim City trying different scenarios or building a new city.
Don´t forget to follow these directions for the set-up:
- Options Set-up - *Very Important! - This will avoid unnecessary interruptions.
Under the options menu, click to the left of the words Auto-Budget to put a check mark there (turned on), and to the left of Auto-Goto to make sure there is NOT a checkmark next to it. - Under the disasters menu, click to the left of the word disable at the bottom to put a check mark there (turned on.
Please pick a partner and on one sheet of paper (names and date on top) please write down if you are trying to build a new city or the name of the scenario you chose, any questions you have, problems you are running into, how you are solving problems, and other things you are learning about how to run a city. As you are working on your city, try checking "maps, graphs, and evaluation" under the Windows menu to see how you are doing. Remember that as the mayor of the city, you will do best by creating an environment in which people want to live and where their needs are met.
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